NEW YORK – New York-based rights organisation, Human Rights Watch in itslatest report has painted a grim picture of human rights in occupiedKashmir.
The HRW in its annual report-2017 recently released said Indian governmentfailed to review and repeal draconian law Armed Forces Special Powers Actin occupied Kashmir that gives soldiers who commit violations effectiveimmunity from prosecution.
The report said Armed Forces Tribunal order in July last year, suspendinglife sentences of five army personnel who were convicted in 2014 forextrajudicial killing of three civilians in a fake encounter in Machil in2010 as setback for accountability for abuses by the forces’ personnel.
It also said clashes between the protesters and Indian forces in theoccupied territory that began in July 2016 continued throughout 2017,leading to frequent closing of schools and colleges.
The report also mentioned the internet shutdowns in occupied Kashmir.